Warwick is the second worst university for the gender pay gap

Warwick University has been named the second worst Russell Group institution for the gender pay gap.

The data was published in a report by the University and College Union (UCU), titled ‘Holding Down Women’s Pay’.

The average discrepancy in salary between men and women at Warwick University is 18.7%, which equates to £10,485.

Warwick was rated the second worst institution for the gender pay gap

In the 2014/15 academic year, Warwick employed slightly more women than men overall, at a rate of 51.5% to 48.5%. Despite this, the total of female academic staff employed was only at 27.8% – below the national average of 44%.

The worst university was LSE, with an average pay gap of 18.9%, and Cambridge University coming in at third place, with 17.1%.

The UCU have also reported that almost all UK universities still have a gender pay gap, regardless of whether or not they are Russell Group universities.

There is a £10,000 pay gap between men and women at Warwick

Third year Petra Tang, studying European Law, commented: “I think the university should play a greater part in closing the gender pay gap, whether it’s through soft action or affirmative action.”

Hope Worsdale, Warwick SU’s Education Officer, said: “We are extremely disappointed and concerned to learn that Warwick’s gender pay gap is one of the worst in the entire country.

“We will continue to support academic staff at this university in their campaigns to secure fair pay for all.”

However, Warwick University have denied the 18.7% claim, stating that there is ‘no gap at all except at Professorial level, where the imbalance between numbers of male and female employees is greatest.’

They stated that ‘despite this, the gap between males and females has been eradicated totally in three out of four faculties’, adding that the under-representation of females at the most senior levels is now a ‘priority’.